Vegan Pesto BLT (members only)
This post may contain affiliate links, please see our privacy policy for details.
This Vegan Pesto BLT is a dream of a sandwich. Made with homemade pesto, crispy tempeh bacon on toasted ciabatta. You can’t go wrong!
When I made this Vegan Pesto BLT my husband’s words were “this is the best sandwich you’ve ever made”…and I’ve made A LOT of sandwiches! But I get why it is a hit – you get all of the best parts of my TTLA recipe with the addition of homemade pesto. The pesto just takes this sandwich to another level. This is a great one for a picnic or easy lunch at home!
here’s what you need
ingredients
- ciabatta bread
- spray oil
- tempeh bacon – I used LightLife
- vegan pesto
- vegan mayo
- avocados
- salt & pepper
- tomatoes
- romaine lettuce
equipment
You need a skillet and food processor.
steps
step 1: prep
If you have the time, I recommend making the pesto from scratch (the recipe is in the notes). Pesto is so easy to make and homemade is always better.
Add everything to a food processor and you will have delicious sauce on your hands. I made mine into a pesto mayo – just add some vegan mayo and mix it up.
The other thing you need to prep is the tempeh bacon. I buy my tempeh bacon pre-marinated so it is super easy to just add it to a pan with a little oil and crisp it up.
The last thing we need to prep is the avocado. Just mash the avocado with some salt & pepper.
step 2: assemble
Cut the ciabatta in half lengthwise and pull out some of the bread from the top half to make room for the filling. Spray with oil and toast under the broiler until browned.
To assemble, spread the avocado on the bottom half of the ciabatta. Top with lettuce, tempeh bacon & tomatoes. Spread the pesto mayo on the top half of the ciabatta. Close the sandwich, slice into 4 sandwiches and enjoy!
tips & tricks
I made my pesto from scratch with 1 cup fresh basil, 1/3 cup almonds, 1 lemon (juiced), salt & pepper. Add to a food processor and pulse until combined. Drizzle in oil with the motor running until your desired consistency is reached.
need more recipe inspo? check these out:
Vegan Pesto BLT (members only)
Ingredients
- 1 loaf ciabatta bread
- spray oil
- 6 ounces tempeh bacon I used LightLife
- 1/3 cup vegan pesto see notes
- 1/4 cup vegan mayo
- 1-2 avocados
- salt & pepper
- 2 tomatoes sliced
- romaine lettuce
Equipment
Instructions
- Heat a skillet over medium heat and spray with oil. Slice the tempeh bacon in half and add to the skillet in an even layer. Cook until browned on both sides (approx. 2-3 minutes per side). Remove from the skillet and set aside.
- Cut the ciabatta in half lengthwise and pull out some of the bread from the top half to make room for the filling. Spray with oil and toast under the broiler until browned.
- Combine the pesto and mayo in a bowl and set aside. Add the avocado to a bowl and mash with a fork. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Set aside.
- To assemble, spread the avocado on the bottom half of the ciabatta. Top with lettuce, tempeh bacon & tomatoes. Spread the pesto mayo on the top half of the ciabatta. Close the sandwich, slice into 4 sandwiches and enjoy.
Notes
- I made my pesto from scratch with 1 cup fresh basil, 1/3 cup almonds, 1 lemon (juiced), salt & pepper. Add to a food processor and pulse until combined. Drizzle in oil with the motor running until your desired consistency is reached.
I am not a fan of tempeh bacon, would coconut bacon work?
Thanks~
I haven’t tried it, but it could. I think I prefer something heartier in my sandwiches, so I’d go with thinly sliced tofu that is marinated in your favorite seasonings (mine would be soy sauce, garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt & pepper) and then pan fried until crispy. Let me know if you give either a try!